Alpha Billionaire Series

CHRISTOPHER

The conference room was festooned with streamers. A banner of triangle flags spelled out “Best Wishes,” and there were sunflowers on everything. The party plates, the napkins, and even a few mylar balloons were shaped like flowers.

Alicia had gone all in. I had expected her to err on the side of caution and put together a small-scale farewell party. Maybe I had presented her with a challenge she couldn't refuse.

I paused to watch as Alicia directed the caterer’s set up all while she continued to hang streamers, and place flower arrangements around the space.

She caught me watching her and smiled. She put down the flowers in her hand and crossed to me.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

“I thought we agreed you were going to keep Valerie away while I finished putting this together. You're the one who wanted this to be a surprise.”

The day after I gave this challenge to Alicia, she had come to me seeking assistance. She needed my help keeping Valerie ou of the office long enough to set up the surprise. I agreed.”

“She's finishing up some paperwork with HR, and then I'm taking her to lunch. 'm headed over there now. You've got plenty of time."

“Good. Oh, hold on.” Alicia crossed the conference room and picked up a box. She handed it to me.

“It's a present for Valerie. You can give it to her at lunch or wait for the party.”

“I'll wait. What is it?"

“A present for the baby. It's a Hayes onesie.”

I stared at her. In two days, she had pulled together a surprise party, and gotten merchandise made up as a farewell to Valerie. I didn’t know if I could have been as thorough. I didn't need to see the bill to know that she had done all of this without overspending. It all looked impressive as hell, but something about Alicia's efficiency told me that she had come in way under what I had been willing to spend.

I knew Alicia had succeeded when, after Valerie and I returned from lunch, the conference room and hall surrounding were full of Hayes employees to surprise Valerie. Valerie wiped tears from her eyes.

“I knew you were up to something, but this is not what I was expecting.”

She continued to cry and wipe at tears, that she assured me were happy tears mixed with sadness. I called her to the front o the room. I made a sappy little speech and handed her the present that Alicia had taken care of along with everything else. Valerie laughed as she lifted the baby clothes from the box. She held the tiny clothes emblazoned with the company logo to her chest and gave me a tear hug.

“Ive never had a work family quite like this one” Valerie said as she stepped up to cut the cake that was presented.

When she cut into it she continued laughing. “It's even my favorite cake.” Followed by more tears.

At that moment I knew I was going to really miss her laughter and her friendship.

Alicia had done an exceptional job. I needed to let her know. I scanned the area in front of the conference room. There were plenty of people hanging about, eating from the selection of foods, and chatting. But I did not see Alicia among any of them I walked down the hall toward my office.

“Why are you sitting here alone? There is a party in the conference room.”

She gave me a small smile. “I know. I figured it was for Valerie and the people who really know her. I thought I'd get out of th way for a bit”

“I wanted to tell you that you did an amazing job. Valerie hasn't stopped crying”

“Oh, no. I didn’t want to make her cry."

“It's good crying. But you really should come back and enjoy your efforts. At least get some of the cake.”

I held out my arm, indicating she should follow me back to the party.

With a sigh, she got up and followed me back. I got the impression she wanted to say something but was hesitant.

“Look, I know we didn’t have time this week to sit down and have that chat regarding what working for me is going to be like I don’t see that happening this afternoon, do you?"

She shook her head.

“Would you be open to meeting me for dinner? Getting away from the office and the distractions here would give us plenty ¢ time to really have a conversation.”

“I would need to check with my roommate, I don't think we have anything scheduled. I'm sure I could. I'll let you know befor, I leave for the day”

She stepped aside as we made it back to the party. I continued into the conference room. She should have stayed by my sid as my new assistant. How else was I to introduce her to everyone? I glanced back to where she stood. She was already in conversation with several people. It looked like she was taking time to introduce herself to everyone, one person at a time. I spent the rest of my workday distracted. Between Valerie's last day, and the party, my focus was shot.

I looked up at a soft tapping at my door.

“Come on in, Alicia”

“How?” She looked perplexed between me and the door.

“Valerie never knocks. What can I do for you?”

“You had asked about dinner? I found out I can make it. Where did you want me to meet you?"

“I can pick you up.”

She shook her head. “No, Ill meet you. I wouldn't want you to go out of your way. Do you need me to make reservations before I head out?”

“No reservations. Is Mexican okay with you? Do you know where EL Rio is?"

“The one at Toco Hills?"

“That's the one. Meet you there at eight?”

“Okay. I'll see you then”

It seemed like I had barely given myself enough time to properly say goodbye to Valerie at the end of the day and go home and get ready to meet Alicia at eight.

I arrived at the restaurant early to put my name in. Friday night out may not have been the best planning for a business dinner. But I fully intended on mixing business with pleasure.

Alicia looked almost exactly the same when she walked into the restaurant as when she had left work. She had changed her blouse and little sweater to an oversized sweatshirt, but she still had her hair up and was in the same curve-hugging skirt she had worn to work.

“Sorry,” she said tugging at the sweatshirt with a local college crest on the front. “I spilled something at the last minute and realized I didn't have your number, letting you know I'd be late”

“I guess that's the first order of business to take care of, then, making sure you have my number. You look fine."

She could have worn rags and looked beautiful, she had that kind of figure, those kinds of looks.

Once we were shown to our table, I ordered a margarita with Cuervo. “You want a margarita? Drinks on me.”

She shook her head. “I don't drink. I'll have a Diet Coke with lime, please.”

“That's right. How had I forgotten that little detail?”

Alicia went pale and sat bolt upright. I watched her throat as she swallowed hard.

“I guess there's no use avoiding the elephant in the room then, is there?” she asked.

Ishook my head. “Hi, Alicia. I was wondering if we would ever see each other again.”

“So you recognized me? Is that why I have the job?”

I'shook my head. “I recognized you, but no, that is not why you have the job. You got the job because Valerie deemed you th best candidate. But yes I recognized you. I was wondering how long before you would recognize me”

“Um, yeah. I thought maybe it was you at first, but’ she shook her head and looked down at her hands in her lap — “you're a lot different than you were." She gestured at me and rested her hand on the table.

“You look exactly the same.” I reached out and touched her hand.

She yanked her hand back as if I burned her.

“Relax, it's just me."

“And you are my employer, Christopher. I should go. This doesn't feel like work. We can have this conversation at work on Monday.”

“Alicia, stay. We have years to catch up on.”

“We have work expectations, and nothing else to discuss,” she corrected me.

I'shook my head. “We have a past—"

“And that's exactly where it needs to stay. In the past. I will stay and discuss work, but if you think this is the time picking up the pieces to something we started years ago, then no. I'm not here to repeat history. 'm here because I have a job. If you can't, won't.” she let out a heavy sigh. “If you can't ignore our history and let us work together, please let me know now. I'll £0 to HR first thing Monday morning. I'm sure they could get someone else in for you.”

“No, Alicia, I'm sorry. The past will stay there. You were clearly the best candidate for the job and I would be stupid to interfere with that. Please, stay, we'll keep the conversation on your position as my assistant at Hayes.”

And not any of the other hundreds of positions that had raced through my memory.